What tests do we need to do on our pool water?

 pH  – pH is a measure of how acidic or basic the water is.  pH has a scale from 0-14, with 7 being neutral.  Below 7 and a substance is defined as being acidic, while levels above 7 are said to be basic or alkaline.  Everything that enters a pool has a pH value.  To have pH in balance we adjust the water with additions of pH increasers (bases) or pH de-creasers (acids) to achieve the range of 7.2 – 7.8  If water shows a pH value below 7.2 the water is in a corrosive (acidic) condition and you will need to add a base to bring the pH into a more basic range to prevent corrosion.  If the pH is above 7.8, we are in a scaling (basic) condition and must add an acid to bring down the pH to prevent the formation of scale.

Total Alkalinity – A close cousion of pH, the level of alkalinity in the water is a measurement of all carbonates, bicarbonates, hydroxides, and other alkaline substances found in the pool water.  pH is alkaline dependent: that is, alkalinity is defined as the ability of the water to resist changes in pH.  Also known as the buffering capacity of the water, alkalinity keeps the pH from “bouncing” all over the place.  Low alkalinity is raised by the addition of a base (similar to pH): sodium bicarbonate is commonly used.  High levels of alkalinity are lowered by the addition of an acid (similar to pH).  Experts recommend “pooling” the acid in a small area of low current for a greater effect on alkalinity. That is, adding an acid will lower both pH and alkalinity.  Levels should be tested weekly.

Calcium Hardness – When we speak of scale, we are talking about calcium carbonate which has come out of solution and deposited itself on surfaces.  It is a combination of carbonate ions, a part of total alkalinity and calcium, and a part of the Calcium Hardness level.  The test for Calcium Hardness is a measure of how “hard” or “soft” the water is testing.  “Hard” water can have high levels of calcium and magnesium.  If these levels are too high the water becomes saturated and will throw off excess particles out of solution which then seeks to deposit themselves on almost any surface inside the pool.  This is calcium carbonate scale: a “white-ish”, crystallised rough spot.  If the levels are too low, the water is under-saturated.  If under-saturated, the water will become aggressive as it attempts to obtain the calcium it needs.  Such “soft-water” will actually corrode surfaces inside the pool which contain calcium and other minerals to maintain its hardness demand.  Recommended range for calcium hardness is 200-400ppm.  Calcium Hardness levels should be tested weekly.

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